“Facing the Wildfire,” New Era, July 2015, 38–40
Facing the Wildfire
When the flames of life approach, how do you react?
Illustrations by Brooke Smart
In 1867, when Johanna Larsen Winters was 16 years old, she and her family left their comfortable home in Denmark to join with the Saints in Utah. It was a hard journey—hard to give up their home, and harder still to cross the plains on that long, tedious walk on foot.
One day, things went from hard to much worse in a hurry.
“We were camped on a large, open flat,” Johanna wrote. “The oxen were brought to camp as usual and yoked up, ready to start. We sang our morning hymn, and prayer was offered by Brigham Young Jr., the leader of our company. Just then we all noticed at a distance something like a small campfire that was in the direction we were to travel. The fire increased in size and the wind bore it right toward us.
“Captain Rice ordered the oxen unyoked and said, ‘we will sing again,’ and he offered up a prayer for our safety. The oxen were driven in the opposite direction for fear of a stampede as the fire was coming closer and we could feel heat.”
The danger was real and the pioneers didn’t exactly have any good options. They had to choose between the possibility of being trampled to death by frightened oxen or being trapped by a fire rushing ever closer. What could they do? What would you do?
“Brother Young stepped up on the highest part of a wagon tongue, raised his hand and said, ‘Brethren and sisters, stand still; we are not here to be destroyed.’ He stood still there; all at once he pointed to a little cloud not much bigger than a man’s hand. He said, ‘There is our deliverance.’
“At the same moment, there was a terrific peal of thunder, a flash of lightning, and rain poured down. We thanked the Lord for our deliverance, and we went on our way rejoicing.”
Most of us won’t experience the danger of a prairie fire or a stampede of frightened animals or even a three-month journey traveling on foot with a covered wagon, but we can learn important lessons from this episode that will help us in our lives today.
“We Noticed a Fire”
Just like the pioneers, we can be going about our regular activities when we notice danger in the distance. The danger may be the changing standards of the world, friends who tempt us to break the commandments, or a decision that could put us in spiritual or physical danger. It may seem like a small thing, but even something minor can turn dangerous quickly. What we do makes a difference: do we continue toward the danger, or do we listen to our leaders?
“Avoiding the temptations and evils of the world requires the faith and fortitude of a real modern-day pioneer. We need to walk together as today’s pioneers, living Christlike lives, supporting good causes in our communities, and strengthening our families and homes” (Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Pioneer Faith and Fortitude—Then and Now,” Ensign, July 2014, 29).
“The Captain Ordered the Oxen Unyoked”
The pioneers listened to their leaders and obeyed the counsel that kept them safe from the hazards of fire or stampede. When we listen to our leaders and follow their counsel, we will be kept from the dangers of our time.
“The calling of 15 men to the holy apostleship provides great protection for us as members of the Church. Why? … They are committed to see that the Lord’s will truly will be done” (Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Sustaining the Prophets,” Ensign, Nov. 2014, 75).
“We Are Not Here to Be Destroyed”
Brigham Young Jr. had been called as an Apostle shortly before this experience. Elder Young knew, as our current prophets and apostles know, we are here to accomplish many good and important things in our lives as we go forward with faith.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “My appeal is that you nurture your own physical and spiritual strength so that you have a deep reservoir of faith to call upon when tasks or challenges or demands of one kind or another come. Pray a little more, study a little more, shut out the noise and shut down the clamor, enjoy nature, call down personal revelation, search your soul, and search the heavens for the testimony that led our pioneer parents. Then, when you need to reach down inside a little deeper and a little farther to face life and do your work, you will be sure there is something down there to call upon” (“Faith to Answer the Call,” Ensign, July 2011, 54).
“We Thanked the Lord for Our Deliverance”
After their trial, the pioneers remembered to thank the Lord and “went on our way rejoicing.” Do we stop and thank Heavenly Father when our prayers are answered?
“Do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love” (President Thomas S. Monson, “The Divine Gift of Gratitude,” Ensign, Nov. 2010, 87).